You submitted your resume to several vacancy announcements. For the last three months, you have been moonlighting as a new job seeker. Finally, though, all of your late nights and other sacrifices have paid off. You just received a call from one of the top employers on your wish list. You killed it during your telephone interview and now they have invited you to interview in person. Suddenly the magnitude of the situation dawns on you. This is the break that you have been waiting for…your opportunity of a lifetime. You are excited, nervous, and cautiously-optimistic all at once. Your mind is racing so fast that you can hardly keep up with your thoughts. As you descend from cloud 9, you realize that you still have a great deal of preparation ahead of you. Since we know that opportunity sometimes knocks only once, it is imperative that you gather as much information to your benefit as possible.
With that in mind, and as you embark on this exciting phase of your career search, this post lists seven steps you need to take to get vital pieces of information that you need to ensure your full preparation for your big interview:
- Interview format – Will your interview be one-on-one, panel, group, etc? One-on-one interviews are typically more personal as they are with one person, usually the person who will be your immediate superior on the job. Panel or Firing Squad interviews typically consist of at least three interviewers who take turns asking (“firing”) questions at candidates. Group interviews usually involve a few to several candidates who are all vying for the same position going through the interview together. Each interview format requires unique emotional and psychological preparation, which is why is it vital that the interviewee knows what type to expect.
- Aptitude assessments and/or Skills Exercises – Employers sometimes require candidates to take tests or complete skills exercises to better assess the candidates’ job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities. These can include math, reading, and writing exercises, presentations, hand/eye coordination, dexterity, etc. Ask if you will be required to do so.
- Who you will interview with – Ask who you will interview with, including names and titles. Because the interview questions that the CEO asks you will be different from those that the recruiter asks you are different, you will be able to anticipate and/or tailor your answers to common questions.
https://nnamtique.com/resources Knowing this information will also help you to thoughtfully select your questions. You will also know how many copies of information such as your resume, career portfolio, etc. to take with you. Remember to take a copy for yourself for reference as well as one extra in case an unexpected person joins the interview.
- Interview location – This should include the street address where you are to meet the interviewer(s); building name, if applicable; floor or suite number.
- Length of Interview – Asking for this information is vital to planning. For example, if your interview is scheduled on a day that is normally a work day for you, you need to decide if you should ask for the entire day off. You will also need to reschedule meetings, if necessary. Don’t make the mistake of going in to work if you have a hard time leaving once you are there. This could make you late. Also, you take a chance of being distracted during your interview if you left an unresolved issue at work. Remember, it is best to have your mind clear and to feel at ease during your interview.
- Identification needed and other security concerns – Many places of business have secured entrances. So, you may be required to present i.d. and someone may have to meet you at the front desk and escort you to the interview location. Some places also prohibit visitors from taking cell phones into the building, so you need to know this so that you can either build in extra time to check it in with security or leave it behind.
- Transportation Specifics – If you plan to drive to your appointment, you need to know where to park, if you will have to pay for parking and if the employer will reimburse you or validate your parking. If you will be taking public transit, you should ask for the bus number that stops nearest your destination. If you will be taking Uber, lyft, a taxi, or other alternative transportation, you need to know the side of the building where the driver should drop you off upon arrival. Remember, just going to the wrong entrance, can cause confusion for you, get you flustered just before your interview, and/or make you late for your appointment.
Although many employers automatically provide interview candidates with pertinent information that they need for interview day, we all sometimes forget things. Remember that, as the person seeking a job and wanting to make a great impression on your interviewer(s), you need to do your part to ensure that you have all the information you need to arrive for your appointment a few minutes early, prepared, and not be distracted.
For more career search tips, training, and information, visit my resources page at https://nnamtique.com/resources.
Here’s to your successful career search. Go get your new job!
